Over the years, the poachers have devised new and ingenious ways of killing the winged beauties, whose flesh commands a high price in the exotic meat market. The latest avian murder technique involves liberal use of poison balls called traps. These balls are fed to the unsuspecting birds as they land in the paddy fields adjoining the lake for a chirpy feast of their own. Though less favoured, guns and sticks also continue to be used as weapons by the merciless killers. Majority of the killings take place in a score of lake-side villages infamous for trade in bird flesh. The villagers continue with their wanton ways despite occasional arrests and attempts by the government to wean them away by offering financial incentives. Not long ago, the government had launched a special anti-poaching drive with its focus on providing self-employment opportunities to the jobless youths in the villages, notorious for bird slaughter. The initiative did result in a significant decline in bird killings for a few months but things were back to square one soon after.